Australia’s lengthy opening round of the inaugural FFA Cup continued on Tuesday night (local time) as four more teams made their way into the Second Round.
The second week of competition saw the A-League sides join the competition as the Newcastle Jets took on Perth Glory and Adelaide United hosted Wellington Phoenix, the lone non-Australian team in the competition.
South Hobart 1:1 Tuggeranong
Tuggeranong advance 5-4 on penalty kicks
SHO: Sean Kiddey (Own Goal) – 70th min.
TUG: Zach Munster – 85th min.
Neither side in this match is expected to go far, with South Hobart from the island state of Tasmania while Tuggeranong comes from the Capital Territory, both short of the strongest federations.
The first half was entertaining and tight but neither team was able to break through, with South Hobart perhaps being the stronger side.
The Tasmanian club were the stronger in the second half, but in goalkeeper Rohan Shepherd, South Hobart were kept at bay, but in the 70th minute that pressure paid off.
It was an own-goal that got the hosts the lead as Sean Kiddey was the unlucky one, putting it in his own net after a goal-mouth scramble. But Tuggeranong did not go away and with five minutes to play they sent the match into extra time as Zach Munster was able to head home a goal from close range.
The extra time period was thrilling with both sides having chances, and both hitting the posts, but they could not break through as an entertaining match headed into penalty kicks.
Shepherd’s good form from the match continued in the second half as he saved the effort from Caleb Ludlow, which was enough as Tuggeranong scored every shot for a 5-4 shootout win.
FULL MATCH REPLAY: South Hobart vs. Tuggeranong
Newcastle Jets 0:2 Perth Glory 2
PER: Andy Keogh – 20th min.
PER: Andy Keogh – 88th min.
The first match involving A-League teams saw a return to a venue from the first week as the Jets hosted Glory at Broadmeadow Magic’s home ground, but just like the first match, the home side was defeated.
Andy Keogh was the star for Perth, as he was the first to really take control of the match after a tight opening half. His goal came in the 20th minute after Sidnei Sciola was able to work the ball in and find Keogh who was left with a simple finish to score on his Glory debut.
Just before the half-hour, Newcastle had an opportunity as Jeronimo Neumann hit a powerful effort from distance but he could only find the crossbar. He had second chance, two minutes after his first, but he couldn’t put away what should have been a simple finish, after being put through by Joel Griffiths.
Unlike the lower leagues, the A-League clubs are barely starting their preseason preparations and that showed in the second half as both sides struggled to finish their chances, the best coming in the 61st minute as Griffiths got a shot away but was denied by a Danny Vukovic save.
That save proved vital, as Perth wrapped up the match with two minutes to play when Mitch Nichols made a great run down the right, allowing him to cross for Keogh who headed home the clincher, sending Perth through to the Second Round.
Parramatta FC 0:1 St. Albans Saints
SAS: Barry Devlin – 35th min.
The match pitting two third division sides against each other was a tight and entertaining affair and it was the St. Albans Saints who secured the win.
The goal that did it came with 10 minutes left in a tight first half which was largely played in the midfield as Barry Devlin was able to hit a powerful strike from distance to put his side in front.
10 minutes in to the second half, Brodie Paterson, nearly found a second as he shot from the edge of the area but was denied by a save from the keeper. That seemed to wake up Paramatta as they kept on attacking and in the 66th minute went close as Daniel Rezo was played through in to space but shot wide.
With 12 minutes remaining, Parramatta looked certain to score an equalizer but Stuart Webster rescued his side, making a phenomenal double save to send the Saints through.
Adelaide United 1:0 Wellington Phoenix 0
ADE: Sergio Cirio – 31st min.
For the first time, the FFA Cup left the shores of the East Coast and headed to South Australia for another all A-League affair as Adelaide got past the tournament’s lone New Zealand club Wellington Phoenix, 1-0.
After a bright start from Wellington, Adelaide fought back and in the 31st minute scored the vital goal as Tarek Elrich and Awer Mabil linked up well to draw the defense, allowing Sergio Cirio to take full advantage and send home the lone goal of the match.
Wellington tried to find goals but Paul Izzo was immense in the Adelaide goal, when Izzo wasn’t stopping Wellington it was the post, which cruelly denied Wellington at the death, sending Adelaide through to the next stage.
Chris Hockman, who was born in Australia, is a freelance writer who also covers the sport for SanAntonioSoccerNews.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrishsport
2014 FFA CUP FIRST ROUND SCHEDULE
July 29
Brisbane Strikers (QLDPL) 2:1 Broadmeadow Magic (NNSWPL)
Sydney Olympic (NSWPL) 3:1 Manly United (NSWPL)
Melbourne Knights (VICPL) 1:3 Olympic FC (QLDPL)
South Cardiff (NNSWPL) 2:2 (4:3 PKs) South Springvale (VICD1)
August 5
Perth Glory (HAL) 2:0 Newcastle Jets (HAL)
St Albans Saints (VICPL1) 1:0 Parramatta FC (NSWPL2)
Tuggeranong United (ACTPL) 1:1 (5:4 PKs) South Hobart (TL)
Wellington Phoenix (HAL) 0:1 Adelaide United (HAL)
August 12
Bentleigh Greens (VICPL) at Blacktown City (NSWPL)
Sydney FC (HAL) at Melbourne City FC (HAL)
Far North Queensland (QLDPL) at Sydney United 58 (NSWPL)
Western Sydney Wanderers (HAL) at Adelaide City (SAPL)
August 19
Palm Beach (QLDPL) at Hakoah Sydney City East (NSWSL1)
Brisbane Roar (HAL) at Stirling Lions (WAPL)
August 20
Central Coast Mariners (HAL) at South Coast Wolves (NSWPL)
Bayswater City (WAPL) at Melbourne Victory (HAL)
PARTICIPATING LEAGUES
Division 1
HAL – Hyundai A-League
Division 2
QLDPL – Queensland Premier League
NNSWPL – Northern New South Wales Premier League
NSWPL – New South Wales Premier League
NSWPL2 – New South Wales Premier League Division Two
ACTPL – Australian Capital Territory Premier League
TL – T-League
SAPL – South Australia Premier League
WAPL – Western Australia Premier League
Division 3
VICPL1 – Victorian Premier League Division One
Division 4
VICD1 – Victorian State League Division One
NSWSL1 – New South Wales State League Division 1
